Freddytime

Tuesday eve we spent down in Brixton enjoying the company of Anna, Chris, Adrian, Jenny, Aster and Tim and last but most important: Freddy. We had a great risotto, some wine (or grape juice for thos to imature to like wine, ie me) and good conversation. Freddy was lavished with attention from 9 grown ups trying to keep him satisfied at all costs. There was a lot of dancing going on. It was a good night and I'm impressed by their house, but getting to Brixton really gives you QT with tfl. Something one can never get too much of. NOT.

A little bit annoyed

I got my results from my exam back today. Not brilliant but not bad either with a 75% score. Know I could have done better though, which irritates me, and would like to know how I fouled up. Well at least it's done and I am one teeny-tiny exam away from having completed all the compulsary foundation courses of my degree and if all goes well I'll graduate in a year. That's something to be happy about. I guess.

Yesterday I met up with Aruiadne and she showed me around Camden and Primrose Hill. It was very nice. We sat at her local pub drinkimng and eating snacks (a platter with cheese, pita, hommus, tabouleh, olives and merguez sausages...) and talked for a couple of hours. I really enjoyed myself. BAd thing was that due to lausy tube timing from me I didn't make it past the potential work place I was going to to talk to the manager. Tomorrow is another day?

The Nightwatcher

I just finished reading a book recommended to me by my uncle's wife: The Nightwatcher by Sarah Waters. I really enjoyed it actually. It's set in the London of the 1940's and the narrative is chronologically reversed. This is done in a very natural and unforced manner; the mysteries that we want solved and the links between the characters we want explained are best done so by going back to when they happened and were forged. It deals with quite strong and important experiences but in a very down tuned way which makes it that more effective. And then I must say I enjoy reading a story set in a city I'm getting to know more and more. It possible for me to follow their movements in a more dimensional way thanks to haveing a feel for the geaography and urban landscape of London (even though it looked quite different during and just after the War).

Another Pimm's?

After a slow day we were off to a BBQ at Charlie's and Sigrid's yesterday and it was good fun. I was a bit tired getting there, but by the time it was time to go back home I was in a fabulous mood. I had Pimm's and Captain Morgan's spiced with coke, charred lamb chops (me like) and burgers. Although the weather forecast hadn't been promising it was absolutely fine all evening and we stayed out on the roof terrace (with a 360 degree view of east London) until quite late. There was good conversation, the rebirth of the macarena (to how many types of music can YOU do the macarena?), playing around with cameras (my posing got surprisingly better as the evening progressed - thanx to my good friend Mr Pimm?) - it was all good. We finished off the evening with a trip to Brick Lane (there might have been some singing walking up - we made the east and the west end... sorta) where we stood in a long but very efficient queue for bagels. I had a salmon and cream cheese one for the road (yummy!) and then we got half a dozen to take home. Now I'm mostly tired.

Hurt feet

Was going to apply for a new passport at the Embassy today but I changed my mind in the waiting room amongst all the families with small children. I have to check a thing before I apply anyways so I'll try again first thing Monday morning. Walked around a bit, amongst other places in Regent's Park and started feeling the danger of new shoes and no plasters. I hurried to get to London Wall to meet Linus for lunch but I needn't have since he was 25 min late (not his fault though). We had sushi on Finsbury Square. Very nice. On the way back the big blister on my heal broke and I was in pain. Limped to the nearest Boot's and found my relief in blister plasters - they're great! Once they were on I was alright again. Of course, the stroll from Tottenham Court Road to Waterloo station did make my feet ache, but I managed to browse for a christening gift (I think I have an idea), introductory books on English Law (I found one I think would be perfekt, but this thin sliver of a paperback cost 30 quid!) and other stuff. Now, back home, I am resting my feet.

Feeling lazy

Here I am. I'm sure there are tings I should do (yes, look for a job) but I'm having a hard time working out what exactly. I am feeling a little lost normally having a very precise agenda each day with studies and such. Now... I could do anything which makes me totally blind to the possiblities. I'm sure it'll get better. Did want to start power walking each morning, but my toe hurts so much it's a bit difficult to walk. ASDA is far enough. Migh try the yoga video again today - though I'll have to make room in the flat.

I have a couple of concrete goals for this week: write a couple of emails, apply for a new passport and paint something for Linus.

Sad tidings

Yesterday my grand mum passed away. She was 91 years old and wasn't feeling at all well. I'm sure she is happy to be resting. It's weird knowing she doesn't exist anymore - it'll take some getting used to.

I'm back!

Here I am again - and this time I aint leaving for a long while. The journey was unusually alright (traveling on Saturdays has it's perks - no people, almost). Yesterday was very much about chilling (I was tired from a week of activity and Mr T was somewhat hungover). Today I've been working on work - that is finding a job. I've redone my CV and written a general cover letter (I hate this) and once Linus has given them a look-over I can give them to those kind souls who said they would help me and pass them on to firtile ground. I did also apply for a job today - so I'm not THAT lazy.

Last day

This morning Linda, Lovisa, Sofia and I met up for breakfast. We were supposed to eat at Grand Hotel but it was fully booked so we had to make do with another place. On the up side we got to sit outdoors and enjoy our meal. Even as early as 8.30 it was warm enough to cycle to town in just a dress. Wonderful! Afterwards I ran some errands and helped Sofia choose glasses. Then it was time to pack. Boooo. I don't like packing. It sucks. I want to bring EVERYTHING. Going away and living in another place for a couple o months I want to live as I do here as far as my material possessions are concerned. Yes, I am that shallow. Well, it's done now. In a couple of days I'll regret not bringing something or other.

Yesterday I went to the opera in Malmö with Linda, Jonas and Linda's mum and saw Porgy and Bess, a guest performance from South Africa. It was good. Great music, the set design was very good, and I enjoyed myself. Unfortunately, I ad a hard time hearing the lyrics, which matters less in normal opera, but this more jazz-like one... the music doesn't speak as much for it self. Still I am very glad to have gone. It was a lovely evening - hot and sunny - and we felt wonderful standing on the balcony to the opera. I was also reminded of how much I hate standing ovation pressure.

Bye-bye Lund, have a good summer!

Money makes the world go around...

Well not entirely, but it is nice when things go financially in the right direction. This week I'v got my tax return and been awarded a scholarship. So now I'm considerably wealthier - which doesn't really amount to much. But still I'm happy.

Between the go-devil and the deep blue sea

Today was Sweden National Day and Linda, Jonas, Rikard and I celebrated this by enjoying really good swedish stuff: nature, smoked fish and Ales stenar (Ale's Stones). We started out early this morning to Österlen, on the east coast, where we had booked two Go-Devils to ride the railway between St Olof and Gärsnäs. We rode through forest and meadows and fields and felt the pleasures of being out doors. It wasn't sunny, even chilly at times, but lovely all the same. There were corn flowers and poppies along the way, as well as funny cows and Babi-like calves. We had coffee and sweet cakes by a lake, and Rikard even went for a quick dip (brrrr...). This is something I can easily see myself doing again. It wasn't too hard, even if up hill was a bit excerting, and it was lovely not having to think of where to go (just one way really - forwards!) and us eing alone on the tracks. (I only had my mobile phone camera - so no good pics, but a soon as I can I'll link to Linda's and Jonas'.)

After our railway adventure we went to Kåseberga (further south). By now the sun the man and the sky blue (with light clouds). We bought some smoked fish and went up to Ales stenar and sat right at the edge of the cliff, looking out over the sea, and had a pick nick. Pasta sallad, baguette and cheese, fish and grapes and chocolate. Just woinderful. We stayed there for quite a while just enjoying our food and the day. Now home I'm very tired but feeling great and I have some new freckles over the bridge of my nose. Perfect!

Over and out

So, now it's done. Seven hours of exam hell, constant thought and constant writning. I fell like I came acoss a brain-capacity dementor. Ugh. Was very happy to eat lunch at half three (breakfast I had at seven) and then I did some retail therapy. Wonderful. I've even bokked an appointment at the hair-dresser's. Feeling good. Now I can relax.

The time is near

I'm going to go to bed very soon after a very nice evening at Sofia's (food, Top Model and talking). Am glad to have relaxed a couple of hours - more studying would probably not have done much good. Now I just hope I get a good night's sleep and that I don't **** it up tomorrow. From 8am to 3pm it's going to be me, my collection of legislation, and all the other suckers at the Viktoria Stadium. Can't wait.

Back home

I got back a couple of hours ago and I'm dead tired. The trip London Copenhagen kills me. But I'm home and thankfully I had some pasta, ketchup and grated cheese at home so I managed to get something to eat. Tomorrow I must buy food, go to the gym and study some more. Tuesday's exam day. Ugh. But before I leave you for my bed I'll answer some Q's my friend Lovisa posted on her blog and asked me to answer. I felt a bit cheated as almost everyone who might read my blog has already been requested to answer by someone else. So the last one's a bit of a shot in the dark...

Three summer jobs I've had: ice cream seller, tickets cashier, carer
Three places I've lived in: Buenos Aires, Athens, Luxembourg
Three series I enjoy watching on telly: House, Survivor, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Three places I've visited on vacation: Blekinge, Brugge, Berlin
Three of my favorite dishes: cheese fondue, baby back ribs with lots of sauce, moulles
Three places where I would like to be most of all right now: at Linus', where it's warm, by the sea
Three people who I'd like to answer these questions: Linus, Anna Snell, James

Oh what a beautiful morning...

I've been up for an hour and managed to go to ASDA and by bagels and smoothie (nice). It's sunny and warm and I'm going to enjoy this day with Linus before going back home to Lund tomorrow and being in exam hell. I'll be back in about a week though. Hmm.. brakfast on the balcony sounds just right.

I'm beat

I've just finished going through the twelve projects we've done this semester. I've read them through. I've made notes. My arm is ready to fall off. My brain is ready to implode. I'm done. No more. So, now I'll cook and perhaps read something for my own pleasure. And I guess Linus will get home sooner or later. I really hope I've learnt something these past few weeks - otherwise I'm in a pickle.